Culver City Celebrates Black Business Month with Leadership Roundtable

The City celebrated National Black Business Month by bringing together approximately two dozen Black-owned businesses from across Culver City for an evening of conversation, connection, and learning. 

The event was the first in a planned series of smaller, targeted conversations designed to help the City hear directly from different segments of the community and better understand perspectives that can be lost in larger settings. It also created an opportunity for business owners to connect with City leadership and, for many, to meet and build relationships with other Black-owned businesses in Culver City for the first time. 

Mayor Puza opened the event by emphasizing the purpose of the event. “This is more than a proclamation, this is about listening, learning, and continuing to build relationships with all of you.”  

Building a Business in Culver City 

Business owners began by sharing their backgrounds and what brought them to Culver City. Many grew up in the surrounding area and either started their businesses here or chose to relocate here because of Culver City’s location, sense of community, and opportunities for small businesses. Some businesses, such as Realty Executives Westside, Industry Café and Jazz, and Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken have been here for decades. Others, like Skyzone Culver City and Crowns and Hops are just starting to open their businesses here. 

Participants also expressed appreciation for the accessibility of City staff and the City Council, with several describing instances in which staff had helped them navigate challenges or identify opportunities for their businesses. 

Several reflected on how much Culver City itself has changed over the years, including its evolution from a community with a history of racial exclusion to one where Black-owned businesses are increasingly able to establish themselves and grow.  

One business owner commented, “I’m not sure how many used to roam these areas, maybe 20 years ago, it wasn’t as welcoming for us then, and seeing it blossom into what it’s become is what pushed me to want to move my business here.”  

Another reflected, “Living and working in Culver City, this is one of the greatest places to live and learn. City has turned completely 180 degrees, and it’s a great place to be.” 

Challenges Facing Local Businesses 

The evening was also an opportunity to speak candidly about challenges. 

Participants were asked to consider their biggest concerns over the next two to five years. Through a targeted survey and the roundtable discussion, rent and fee increases emerged among the concerns raised by business owners, along with parking, visibility and marketing, and other challenges associated with operating a small business. 

One business owner described the broader challenge as “preparing for the unknown.” Participants noted that changes to City policies, regulations, or fees can have significant impacts on a small business and expressed concern that businesses sometimes learn about potential changes too late to meaningfully participate in the conversation. 

The discussion underscored the importance of not only hearing from businesses, but finding ways to engage them early enough for their experiences to help inform decisions. 

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities 

Participants also identified opportunities for the City and local businesses to work together. 

The arrival and growth of major companies such as Apple and Amazon can create pressure on rents and property values, but participants also discussed how their presence could create new opportunities for local small businesses. 

Business owners suggested exploring ways to better connect local businesses with major employers and their supply chains. Ideas included creating a vetted directory of local businesses, encouraging large companies to source locally, and exploring incentives that could turn one-time connections into sustained business relationships.  

Participants also encouraged the City to continue events such as small business expos and marketplaces, while expanding economic development activities beyond Downtown Culver City. One participant commented, “I would love to see the City go beyond Downtown Culver City, in terms of activation and various activities.” 

Ideas included business crawls and other activations along Sepulveda Boulevard, Jefferson Boulevard, and other commercial areas to introduce residents and visitors to businesses they may not otherwise encounter. You can view photos from the event by visiting the Culver City's Instagram and Facebook pages.

What’s Next? 

Reflecting on the event, Assistant City Manager Adam Troy emphasized the importance of creating multiple touchpoints with different segments of the community. “Most importantly, we want to create a space where our business leaders feel welcomed, heard, and connected to the City,” Troy said. 

While National Black Business Month provided the impetus to bring this group together, supporting Culver City’s Black-owned businesses should not be limited to this month. We encourage the community to discover and support the variety of Black-owned businesses throughout Culver City as part of their everyday shopping, dining, and services.